Sexuality and Relationship Education for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Davida Hartman
Short Summary
Sexuality and Relationship Education for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Davida Hartman is a comprehensive, practical resource that supports adults to teach sexuality, relationships, and boundaries to autistic children and teens. While it’s written primarily for professionals, it is incredibly valuable for parents – especially those who don’t have access to specialist services or disability support where they live.
Age Group
Suitable for parents.
Topics Discussed
Autism | Disability | Parents
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Buy a Copy
Buy a copy of Sexuality and Relationship Education for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders by Davida Hartman from Amazon.
What this book is about
- This book is designed to support adults in teaching sexuality and relationship education to autistic children and teens in a clear, structured way.
- It covers a wide range of topics, including understanding sexuality, preventing problems, supporting healthy development, and responding to inappropriate or unsafe behaviours.
- While written for professionals, the content is highly relevant for parents who are doing this work on their own or without specialist backup.
- The book uses visual supports extensively, which is particularly helpful for autistic learners who benefit from concrete, visual explanations.
- It explains concepts such as stages of relationships – for example, holding hands, kissing, and becoming more intimate – in a clear, step-by-step way.
- Topics like private touching and masturbation are addressed directly, using structured teaching approaches rather than vague or confusing language.
- Social stories (stories told using images) are used throughout to explain expectations, boundaries, and behaviours in real-life situations.
- The content is inclusive and diverse, recognising that autistic young people have a wide range of identities, needs, and experiences.
- The book also links to a companion app that allows adults to create their own social stories using images, making it easier to personalise teaching for your child.
I hope you find this book review helpful!
Happy talking!
❤️ Cath